accent

accentnoun

An accent is a particular way of pronouncing words, a mark placed on a letter, or special importance given to something.

1. way of speakinga particular way of pronouncing the words of a language that shows where someone is from or what other language they speak

   countable [C]

   • She has a strong Southern accent.
   • He speaks English with a slight accent.
   • You can hear the accent of the region in her voice.
   • Their accents made it easy to guess where they grew up.

   Collocations

   adjective + noun strong accent, slight accent, foreign accent

   verb + noun have an accent, lose an accent, put on an accent

2. mark on a lettera mark placed above or below a letter to show how it is pronounced, or to show it is not the same as a similar-looking word

   countable [C]

   • The word “café” has an accent over the e.
   • Accents are common in French spelling.
   • Don't forget the accent when you write her name.

3. special emphasisspecial importance given to something

   countable [C] usually singular [usu sing]

   • The accent in this class is on conversation, not grammar.
   • Put the accent on quality rather than speed.
   • Training here has always had an accent on safety.